Typewriter shield

ABSTRACT

By supporting a pivotable shield above a typewriter keyboard, a versatile and unique typewriter shield is provided, which allows the typist to shield from view either the typewriter keyboard, the copy, both the typewriter keyboard and the copy, or neither. As a result, the shield of this invention can be universally employed regardless of the particular instruction or reinforcement technique an individual typist may require.

United States Patent 1 Garman 1 Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 TYPEWRITER SHIELD [76] Inventor: Clair Garman, 422 Black Hawk Ln.,

Stratford, Conn. 06497 221 Filed: Feb. 24, 1972 1211' Appl. No.: 228,913

[52] U.S. Cl 197/105, 248/159, 248/188.8 [51] Int. Cl B4lj 29/04 [58] Field of Search 197/105, 180, 181.]; 35/5, 6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,415,641 2/1947 Langsdorf 197/180 1,240,349 9/1917 Knowles l97/105 889,184 5/1908 'Gilbert 197/105 1,078,537 ll/19l3 C0rcoran.... 197/105 1,370,737 3/1921 Furrey 197/105 X 1,447,563 3/1923 Moon 197/105 918,283 4/1909 Chrisman 197/105 UX 1,246,221 11/191 7 Baumgartner 197/105 844,025 2/1907 Keesling et a1. 197/105 Primary ExaminerRobert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-R; T. Rader At!orneyMe1yin l. Stolt z [57] ABSTRACT I By supporting a pivotable shield above a typewriter keyboard, a versatile and unique typewriter shield is provided, which allows the typist to shield from view either the typewriter keyboard, the copy, both the typewriter keyboard and the copy, or neither. As a result, the shield of this invention can be universally employed regardless of the particular instruction or reinforcement technique an individual typist may require.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENIEIJBBT 21913 SHEET 10F 2 FIG. I

TYPEWRITER SHIELD BACKGROUND OFTI-IE INVENTION This invention relates to typewriter shields and, more particularly, to movable and adjustable typewriter shields. All of the typewriter shields and typewriter teaching aids found in the prior art possess the common disadvantageous feature of being unable to universally satisfy all of the various requirements and conditions which are required. Generally, the prior art shields incorporate a single stationary view screening member which covers either the typewriter keyboard or both the typewriter keyboard and the copy. Furthermore, no provision is made in these prior art typewriter shields for the personal attitudes of the individual typist or instructor on what is to be seen and what is not to be seen. Furthermore, these prior art typewriter shields generally do not provide any simple way in which the stationary screen can be manipulated out of the way in order to provide access to either the typewriter keyboard or the copy itself.

Therefore, a principal object of this invention is to provide a typewriter shield which can be easily manipulated to any desired position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a typewriter shield of the above character which has universal application for all teaching methods and techniques.

Another object of this invention is to provide a typewriter shield of the above character which is both inexpensive and can be easily assembled and disassembled.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION embodiment, the shield unit incorporates a movable screen member having two sections, interconnected by hinge means, with one of these movable sections pivotably mounted to a holding member. The shield unit is completed by securing the holding bar to a support member. Preferably, the position of the holding bar relative to the support member is adjustable in order to assure location of the screen member at the optimum position.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of the construction, combination of elements, and arrangementof parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention'will be indicated in the claims.

' THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding'of the nature and objects of this invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the typewriter shield of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of'the typewriter shield of this invention in position for preventing viewing of both the typewriter keyboard and the copy being typed;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the typewriter shield of this invention in position for allowing viewing the typewriter keyboard, while preventing viewing of the copy being typed;

3 Furthermore, the support member could be placed at FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the typewriter shield of this invention in position for allowing viewing of both the typewriter keyboard and the copy being typed; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the typewriter shield of this invention in position for preventing viewing of the typewriter keyboard, while allowing viewing of the copy being typed. I

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The construction of typewriter shield unit 20 can best be seen in FIG. 1. Shield unit 20 comprises a typewriter shield assembly 22, a support member 24, and a base 26. If desired, base 26 may incorporate slip resistent pads 28.

Support member 24 incorporates a plurality of position adjusting holes 30 for cooperation with shield assembly 22, and is secured to base 26 by fastening means 32. Also, support member 24 incorporates a slot 34 in order to allow the relative position of support member 24 and the typewriter keyboard to be adjust able to suit individual requirements.

Shield assembly 22 comprises substantially identical screen members 36 and 37, which are pivotably interconnected by means of hinges 38. Screen member 36 is also pivotably mounted to holding bar 40. Bar 40 incorporates a plurality of adjusting holes 42 which cooperate with position adjusting holes 30 of support member 24, in order to allow each typist to position shield assembly 22 at a personally desirable height and then secure shield assembly 22 in that desired position by fastening means 32. Byadjusting the height of shield assembly 22, each typist is assured that the screen members will be in exactly the proper position to prevent unwanting viewing of the typewriter, while not interfering with the operation of the typewriter.

Many construction variations can be made to shield unit 20 without departing from the scope of this invention. Such variations include, but are not limited to, the use of a single screen, pivotably mounted to'bar 40 instead of screens 36 and 37, or else more than two screens all being pivotably interconnected. Also, other pivot means could be used for interconnecting screens 36 and 37, as well as connecting screen 36and bar 40.

the side of thetypewriter with the shield assembly pivotally mounted thereto. Still furthermore, a flexible support member could be used to replace support member 24 and base 26. Such a flexible support member could be attached to the" typewriter itself, and extended over from the back, or in front of, the typewriter in such a manner to allow shield assembly 22 to be secured thereto. These and other variations, which are obvious to one skilled in the art, can be made to the typewriter shield of this invention, while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Since individual instructors differ in their approach to teaching the art of typing, and individual students differ in their ability to learn typing skills, there are many variations in which items and which combination of items should be shielded from view. As a result, the universal typewriter shield unit 20 of this invention is capable of accommodating all variations desired. The unique operation and universal application for which shield unit 20 is employable is clearly evident by referring to FIGS. 2-5.

In FIG. 2, shield unit 20 is shown mounted in place with a typewriter 50 shown in phantom. In the most common technique for teaching typing skills, most instructors desire to have their student typists concentrate only on the copy to be typed, without looking at the keyboard or the copy being typed. With screen members 36 and 37 positioned as shown in FIG. 2, an individual typist using the typewriter is completely unable to see either the typewriter keyboard or the copy being typed. Furthermore, since the relative height of shield 37 above the keyboard is adjustable as described above, there is complete assurance that shield 37 will not interfere in any manner with the arms of the typist. Also, the typist can easily lift screen member 37 in order to assure that his fingers are placed on the home" keys.

A second position in which the universally adaptable typewriter shield unit 20 can be placed is shown in FIG. 3. If an individual instructor or student desires to have the capability of viewing the typewriter keyboard while not being able to view the copy being typed, the typist need only pivot screen member 37 180, about the axis established by hinges 38. With screen member 37 in juxtaposed spaced relationship with screen member 36, the typist is now capable of viewing the typewriter keyboard, while the copy being typed is completely shielded from view.

A third position, which is extremely important for both teaching the art of typing and producing error free copies, is the position where the typist can see both the keyboard and the copy being typed, and has complete access to this copy in order to correct any errors, check the copy, and change paper. Providing a shield which is easily manipulated into this position is one of the major drawbacks of prior art shield units, since they are generally extremely cumbersome or totally incapable of providing ready access to the copy being typed. With typewriter shield unit 20 of this invention, complete access to the typewriter keyboard and the copy being typed is readily attainable by merely pivoting screen members 36 and 37 180 about the axis formed by hinge 39. This position is shown in FIG. 4.

In order to assure that screen members 36 and 37 will remain out of the way when access to the typewriter keyboard and copy being typed is desired, hinge 39 is mounted on holding bar 40 at a position below terminating edge 41 of bar 40. The section of bar 40 which is between the edge of hinge 39-and terminating edge 41, best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, provides a holding post, assuring that screen members 36 and 37 will remain in substantially the same plane as bar 40, in a position above the typewriter which will not interfere in any manner with the desired access to the typewriter keyboard and the copy being typed.

The final position into which the universally adaptable typewriter shield unit 20 is capable of being placed is shown in FIG. 5. In this position, screen members 36 and 37 prevent the typewriter keyboard from being seen, while not interfering in any manner with the viewing of the copy being typed. This position is extremely important for beginning typists who should not watch the typewriter keyboard, but may look at the copy being typed in order. to assure themselves that they are typing what they desire. This final position is readily attainable by mounting shield assembly 22 to support member 24, with the position of hinge 39 pivoted 180 from the positions previously described. Shield assembly 22 is secured to support member 24 by fastening means 32 in the desired position, as described above, using fastening means 32 and positioning holes 30 and 42. An additional feature, which-is provided by having shield assembly 22 mounted in the position shown in FIG. 5, is the fact that screen members 36 and 37 cannot be lifted from the lower edge. This additional benefit may aid in helping to correct the bad habit of a typist who lifts the screen members from the lower edge in order to see the typewriter keyboard.

The typewriter shield unit of this invention clearly eliminates all of the problems found in the prior art since the typewriter shield unit of this invention is easily maneuvered and readily adaptable to any position that may be desired by the instructor to aid in teaching the art of typing, and by the students to aid in properly learning this art.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.

Having described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Typewriter shield apparatus comprising? A. support means adapted for cooperation with a typewriter keyboard and copy being typed; and

B. a typewriter shield assembly mounted on said support means comprising a screen member incorporating at least two pivotally interconnected sections readily movable between a. a complete typewriter view obstructing position wherein said screen member sections lie in substantially the same plane shielding from view said keyboard and said copy being typed, and

b. a partial typewriter view obstructing position wherein at least one of said screen member sections overlies another screen member section shielding from view either said keyboard or said copy, and

c. a position allowing both the keyboard and copy to be viewed.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said typewriter shield assembly further comprises:

c. a holding bar, adjustably mounted to said support means, and

d. said screen member pivotally mounted to said holding bar.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the line formed by the pivotable interconnection of said screen member sections is horizontal.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said horizontal line is positionable within the viewing area between the typewriter keyboard and the copy being typed.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein a portion of said holding bar extends beyond the pivotal interconnecting point between said holding bar and said screen member, providing a support for said screen member and said shield assembly further comprises:

e. a complete typewriter viewing position wherein said screen member sections are supportingly maintained in a position above the typewriter by said holding bar extension. 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means is further defined as comprising:

a. a base, and b. a supporting member adjustably secured to said base. 7. Typewriter shield apparatus comprising: A. a base positionable below the typewriter; B. a supporting member adjustably secured to said base and comprising a. a vertically upstanding portion positioned in front of the typewriter; and b. an angled portion extending generally parallel to the plane of the typewriter keys; C. a holding bar adjustably secured to the angled portion of said supporting member; and D. a screen member,

a. pivotally secured to said holding bar at a position on said bar below a terminating edge of the bar, a portion of said bar extending beyond said pivotal interconnection position between the terminating edge of said bar and said pivotal interconnection position, and b. readily movable between a typewriter view obstructing position and a typewriter viewing and access position wherein the screen member is supportingly held above the typewriter substantially in the same plane as the angled portion of the support member, with the extension portion holding the screen member in this viewing and access position.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said screen member further comprises:

C. two sections, pivotally interconnected along a substantially horizontal line; and

D. readily movable from a. an entire typewriter view obstructing position wherein both screen member sections lie in substantially the same plane, and to b. a partial typewriter view obstructing position wherein one section of said screen member overlies the second section, to

c. an entire typewriter viewing and access position wherein both sections of said screen member are supported by said extension portion above the typewriter substantially in the same plane as the angled portion of said support member.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said horizontal screen section interconnection line is positionable within the viewing area between the typewriter keyboard and the copy being typed, assuring that one of said screen sections may block the typewriter keyboard while the second section may block the copy being typed. 

1. Typewriter shield apparatus comprising: A. support means adapted for cooperation with a typewriter keyboard and copy being typed; and B. a typewriter shield assembly mounted on said support means comprising a screen member incorporating at least two pivotally interconnected sections readily movable between a. a complete typewriter view obstructing position wherein said screen member sections lie in substantially the same plane shielding from view said keyboard and said copy being typed, and b. a partial typewriter view obstructing position wherein at least one of said screen member sections overlies another screen member section shielding from view either said keyboard or said copy, and c. a position allowing both the keyboard and copy to be viewed.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said typewriter shield assembly further comprises: c. a holding bar, adjustably mounted to said support means, and d. said screen member pivotally mounted to said holding bar.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the line formed by the pivotable interconnection of said screen member sections is horizontal.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said horizontal line is positionable within the viewing area between the typewriter keyboard and the copy being typed.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein a portion of said holding bar extends beyond the pivotal interconnecting point between said holding bar and said screen member, providing a support for said screen member and said shield assembly further comprises: e. a complete typewriter viewing position wherein said screen member sections are supportingly maintained in a position above the typewriter by said holding bar extension.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said support means is further defined as comprising: a. a base, and b. a supporting member adjustably secured to said base.
 7. Typewriter shield apparatus comprising: A. a base positionable below the typewriter; B. a supporting member adjustably secured to said base and comprising a. a vertically upstanding portion positioned in front of the typewriter; and b. an angled portion extending generally parallel to the plane of the typewriter keys; C. a holding bar adjustably secured to the angled portion of said supporting member; and D. a screen member, a. pivotally secured to said holding bar at a position on said bar below a terminating edge of the bar, a portion of said bar extending beyond said pivotal interconnection position between the terminating edge of said bar and said pivotal interconnection position, and b. readily movable between a typewriter view obstructing position and a typewriter viewing and access position wherein the screen member is supportingly held above the typewriter substantially in the same plane as the angled portion of the support member, with the extension portion holding the screen member in this viewing and access position.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said screen member further comprises: C. two sections, pivotally interconnected along a substantially horizontal line; aNd D. readily movable from a. an entire typewriter view obstructing position wherein both screen member sections lie in substantially the same plane, and to b. a partial typewriter view obstructing position wherein one section of said screen member overlies the second section, to c. an entire typewriter viewing and access position wherein both sections of said screen member are supported by said extension portion above the typewriter substantially in the same plane as the angled portion of said support member.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said horizontal screen section interconnection line is positionable within the viewing area between the typewriter keyboard and the copy being typed, assuring that one of said screen sections may block the typewriter keyboard while the second section may block the copy being typed. 